AFL legend Anthony Rocca has spoken candidly about his recent cancer diagnosis – and the symptom that has everyone’s alarm bells ringing.
The 46-year-old former Collingwood player was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma two weeks ago.
Rocca said he had been suffering from a sharp pain in his back for weeks, which woke him up at night.
When he finally visited Collingwood’s doctor, Dr. Ruben Branson, he underwent a series of tests that led to the “dreaded” diagnosis.
“Nobody likes to hear that you have this disease, but I’m the type of person who deals with what’s in front of me… I will overcome this,” Rocca said. told the Sunday Herald Sun.
‘Nobody likes the dreaded ‘c’ word, even I find it difficult to say now.’
Rocca, who now coaches the Northern Knights in the Coates Talent League, the top Australian under-18 competition in Victoria, said he immediately tried to get the treatment under control.
In the coming weeks, he will begin six months of chemotherapy, with the support of his wife Enza and his children, Mia, 18, and Max, 14.
Anthony Rocca, 46, a former Collingwood player and now coach of the Northern Knights, was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma two weeks ago
In the coming weeks, with the support of his wife Enza and his children – Mia, 18, and Max, 14 (pictured together) – he will begin six months of chemotherapy.
Rocca has indicated that he will take a break from the upcoming season and has handed over his coaching duties to Monty Stuart for the time being.
Rocca began experiencing a “strange, stabbing pain” in his back six to eight weeks ago.
“Something in the back of my mind told me it was very different from anything I had experienced in the past… It didn’t bother me during the day, but it did wake me up at night,” he said.
At that time Rocca was still training in the gym and boxing.
He had the pain for about three to four weeks before he went to see a doctor.
He then underwent a series of ultrasounds, CT scans and PET scans before he was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin lymphoma, a disease in which cancer cells form in the lymphatic system, which is part of the immune system.
There is also positive news: the football legend has been told that his cancer is highly treatable.
Rocca said he went to the doctor for a checkup after waking up in the middle of the night for weeks with a “strange, stabbing” back pain.
Rocca is pictured with his wife Enza in 2009. She was by his side as they dealt with his cancer diagnosis.
During his 15-year career, Rocca played 242 AFL games and scored 415 goals for Collingwood and Sydney in 15 seasons.
This year he celebrates his 20th wedding anniversary with Enza, who he says has been “so strong and supportive” since his diagnosis.
The father of two hopes his diagnosis will encourage others to get tested if they notice any unusual symptoms.